Ab Crunch Neck Support

Abstract

The present invention comprises a new and improved exercise device that is specifically adapted to assist a user engaged in abdominal crunches. The device comprises an elongated, arcuate board having a pair of handle grips extending from the sides thereof. Users engage the handles of the device and place their hands alongside their head during the crunch exercise. This is accomplished without placing strain on the neck. Rather than placing a tugging load on the back of the user's head, the board distributes this load across the back of the head, neck, and upper back of the user, thereby avoiding neck flexion. Overall, the device supports both the head and upper back, and eliminates neck pain when performing an abdominal crunch. The device includes adjustable side handles to ensure hands are properly placed, and stabilizes the head and neck while a person performs abdominal exercises. The device improves form during the exercise and improves core performance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An abdominal crunch neck support device comprising:
 an elongated board comprising a first elongated side and a second elongated side opposite the first elongated side;   a first handle on the first elongated side of the elongated board; and   a second handle on the second elongated side of the elongated board.   
     
     
         2 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated board is configured to extend from approximately a head of a user to approximately an upper back of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongated board is further configured to extend across a neck of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated board comprises a curved shape. 
     
     
         5 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated board comprises an upper surface and wherein a pad is disposed on the upper surface. 
     
     
         6 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle is configured for grasping by a left hand of a user and the second handle is configured for grasping by a right hand of the user when the user is performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the device. 
     
     
         7 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to maintain alignment of a head, a neck, and an upper back of a user when the user is performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the device. 
     
     
         8 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first handle or the second handle is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated board comprises a length of approximately sixteen inches. 
     
     
         10 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated board comprises a length of approximately twenty-two inches. 
     
     
         11 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein a width between the first handle and the second handle is approximately fifteen inches. 
     
     
         12 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated board comprises a tapering width from a first width of approximately fifteen inches to a second width of approximately eight inches. 
     
     
         13 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle and the second handle are integrated into the elongated board. 
     
     
         14 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated board, the first handle, and the second handle are a single piece. 
     
     
         15 . The abdominal crunch neck support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle is attachable to and detachable from the first elongated side and wherein the second handle is attachable to and detachable from the second elongated side. 
     
     
         16 . A method of performing an abdominal crunch using an abdominal crunch neck support device, the method comprising:
 placing at least part of a head, at least part of a neck, and at least part of a back on an elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device;   grasping a first handle of the abdominal crunch neck support device with a left hand;   grasping a second handle of the abdominal crunch neck support device with a right hand; and   performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the abdominal crunch neck support device   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein placing the at least part of the head on the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device comprises placing the at least part of the head on a pad attached to the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein placing the at least part of the neck on the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device comprises placing the at least part of the neck on the pad attached to the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the abdominal crunch exercise is performed without ungrasping the first handle and without ungrasping the second handle.